3.

1 Electron Theory
• The atom that gives up some of its electrons is a positive ion.
• The fundamental negative charge is the :electron
• An electrons is a particle which :orbit the nucleus of an
atom.
• An element whose atoms have fewer than 4 electrons in
their valency shell are: good conductor
• The atomic number of an element is dependent upon
the :number of electrons
• The 1st shell (K) has a maximum of 2 electrons
• The 4th shell (N) has a maximum of 32 electrons
• Electron arrangement of potassium which has 19 electrons
is : 2.8.8.1
 Module 3

Electrical Fundamentals

3.2 Static Electricity and Conduction

 Coulomb's Law
• Coulomb's Law states that:
• Charged bodies attract or repel each other with
a force that is directly proportional to the
product of their individual charges, and is
inversely proportional to the square of the
distance between them.
 Continue
• A vacuum is a medium :that allow electricity to
flow unimpeded
• The type of medium that is the best electrical
conductor is : vacuum
• The SI unit of electrical charge is :coulomb
• An electrolyte liquid is :a liquid which can carry
an electric current through it.
• The process used to make some non-conducting
liquids conduct electricity is , ionization.
• Plasma is the state of matter where some of
the electrons in a gas are stripped or
"ionized" from their molecules or atoms.
• The field about a charged body is generally
represented by lines which are referred to as
electrostatic lines of force
 Module 3

Electrical Fundamentals

3.3 Electrical Terminology

 Electrical Energy
• The field about a charged body is generally
represented by lines which are referred to as
electrostatic lines of force
• Energy contained by an object due to its motion
is called kinetic energy
• The rate of flow of charge (Q)is ampere
• Therefore Electric current Flow can be said to
flow from Negative To Positive.
• Directed drift means :current
• This opposition to current flow is known as resistance
(R), and the unit of measure is the: Ohm.
• conductivity is the inverse of :resistance
• 4.26V is 0.00426 millivolts
• Mobile electrons means: free electron
• current can be calculated by the formula : I=Q/t
 Module 3

Electrical Fundamentals

3.4 Generation of Electricity

• piezoelectricity cell produces electricity when subjected
to: Pressure
• What is the production of electricity by pressure
commonly known as? Piezoelectric effect
• Thermocouple is an example of electricity generated by :
heat
• Thermocouples generally can be subjected to: much
greater temperatures than ordinary thermometers,
• On a Photocell the positive potential of the supply
source is connected to : anode
• The 3 conditions required to produce electricity by
magnetism are :magnetic field, conductor, and relative
motion
 Continue
• The difference in potential between the electrodes in
wet cell and dry cell depends primarily on the: type
metals used for the plates.
• There are three fundamental conditions which must exist
before a voltage can be produced by magnetism. There
must be a conductor in which the voltage will be
produced.
• There must be a magnetic field in the conductor's
vicinity.
• There must be relative motion between the field and
conductor.
 Voltage Produced by Light
• A complete device which operates on the
photoelectric principle is referred to as a
"photoelectric cell.“
• When a conductor is influenced by changing
magnetic field an EMF is induced whether the
conductor is moving relative to the magnetic
field or not.
 wet cell and dry cell
• The amount of difference in potential
between the electrodes depends principally
on the metals used for the plates.
• The positive potential source is connected to
Anode while negative source is connected to
Cathode on the photocell
 Electron flow
• electron flow is provided between the ends of
the conductor, electrons will leave the
negative end and flow to the positive end.
 Module 3

• Electrical Fundamentals
3.5 DC sources of Electricity
• The capacity of a battery is measured in ampere-hours.
• The capacity in (ampere-hours) will depend upon the area and
the number of the plates.
• Source voltage is the device which furnishes the electrical
energy used by the load.
• If 2 batteries each of 10 V , 20 ampere-hours in parallel they
supply 10 ohm load what is the duration they will feed = 40
hours
• The electrolyte is , a solution which provides a path for electron
flow,
• Primary Cell is one in which the chemical action eats away one
of the electrodes, usually the negative electrode.
• The chemical action that occurs in the cell while the current is
flowing causes hydrogen bubbles to form on the surface of the
cathode: this action is called polarization.
• The specific gravity of the electrolyte of a fully charged
cell is approximately 1.260. This falls to about 1.150
when the cell is completely discharged.
• Ni-Cad. & Lead Acid Batteries should be stored full
charge.
• the anode of a normal dry element (battery is made of :
(carbon).
• In a floating the charging rate is determined by : battery voltage

• If we have 1.5v 100A of two cells then the total capacity is

1.5V 200A
 Module 3

• Electrical Fundamentals
3.6 DC Circuits
 Ohm´s Law
• A series circuit is defined as a circuit that contains only one path for current
flow.

• The current in a circuit is directly proportional to the applied voltage and

inversely proportional to the circuit resistance.
• Ohm's law may be expressed as an equation: V= I*R
 Kirchhoff's voltage law states
• (The algebraic sum of voltages interring or
leaving a series of components will be equal to
the supply voltage).
Va + Vb + Vc + ... Vn = 0
• Find the total current
• Measuring internal resistance directly with
ohmmeter the meter :would cause damaged
to the meter.
• This difference in terminal voltage is caused by
the internal resistance of the battery
• the device which furnishes the electrical
energy used by the load : source
 Total current in parallel
• IT = I1 + I2 + I3 divided inversely proportional
to the resistance
• VT = V1 = V2= V3
• Example
• Two 10 resistors connected in parallel with a
source voltage of 5V, the current across each
resistor is: 0.5
• If a three 9 V batteries in series and a load
current is 150 mA what is the load total
resistance
• V= 27 R= V / I 27/.15=180 ohms
• Find the value of the voltage source
• The series circuit has only one path for current, the
parallel circuit has more than one path for current.
• The characteristics of a parallel dc circuit are
different than those of a series dc circuit.
• A parallel circuit is defined as one having more than
one current path connected to a common voltage
source.
• In the preceding discussions, series and parallel DC
circuits have been considered separately. The
technician will encounter circuits consisting of both
series and parallel elements. A circuit of this type is
referred to as a combination circuit.
 Module 3

• Electrical Fundamentals
3.7 Resistance/Resistor
 Electrical Resistance
• This opposition to current flow is known as resistance (R), and the
unit of measure is the ohm
• Good conductors will have a low resistance.
• Resistance of the conductor is directly proportional to its length
• Electrical Resistivity: it depends only on the material, and is a
property of the material and is independent of the dimensions of
the conductor.
• If for an increase in temperature the resistance of a material
increases, it is said to have: a positive temperature coefficient.
• A material whose resistance decreases with an increase in
temperature has a negative temperature coefficient.
• temperature increase most conductors electrical resistance
will :increase
 Color code Resistor
• In Color code Resistor The fourth band, which: is the tolerance

• Series Resistance
• the total circuit resistance (RT) is equal to the sum of the individual resistances
• This ability of resistance dissipate heat caused by the resistance is :wattage rating
• depends on the amount of surface area which is exposed to the air. The heat dissipating
capability of a resistor is measured in Watts.
• conductance is :directly proportional to area, and inversely proportional to the length of
the material.
• The unit of conductance is the mho (G), which is ohm spelled backwards.
 Wheatstone Bridge
• In the Operation of the Wheatstone Bridge to
find RX the ratio (Rx to R2 is equal to the ratio
of R3 to R4)

• ratio (Rx/R2 = R3/R4)

• Rx =74
• Resistors in series and in parallel
 Potentiometer
• A potentiometer is a variable tapped resistor that
can be used as a voltage divider (voltage source).

• If a resistor cross sectional area is doubled and the

length is halved the resistance will be quadruple
• One of the disadvantage of carbon resistor is: they
have a tendency to change value as they age
 Module 3

• Electrical Fundamentals
• 3.8 power
• when voltage exists but current does not flow because
the circuit is open: no work is done.
• Power
• the basic power formula is :P = V x I,
• If the voltage is increased the power will increase.
• the basic unit of power is the watt.
• Power was expressed by : alternate pairs three basic
quantities V, I, and R.

• Maximum power is transfer theorem states,

Maximum power is transferred to the load when the
internal resistance of the supply is: equal to the
resistance of the load.
• 2 thermo elements connected in parallel
voltage 28v and current 10amp the power is:
560w
• The larger the physical size of a carbon resistor:
the higher the wattage rating.
• One horsepower is equal to 746 watts.
• In a series circuit, the total power is equal to :
the SUM of the power dissipated.
 Module 3

• Electrical Fundamentals
• 3.9 Capacitance/Capacitor
• Capacitance is measured in units called farads.
• Factors Affecting the Value of Capacitance
The value of capacitance of a capacitor depends on three
factors:
1. The area (A) of the plates.
2. The distance (d) between the plates.
3. The dielectric constant (permittivity)of the material between
the plates.
• the specific measure of a material acceptance of magnetic
flux is known as : Permeability
• The opposite electrical charges attract each other while
like electrical charges repel each other.
• These lines of force are polarized : from positive to
negative.
 Capacitors in Series and Parallel

• Capacitors in Series

• Capacitors in Parallel CT = C1 + C2 + C3 +…….Cn

• Dielectric breakdown force is measured in : coulomb

per square meter
• The type of the capacitor used where large amount of
capacitance required is called : electrolytic
• The relation between the distance between the plates
and the charge is: inversely proportional
 A variable capacitor
• In A variable capacitor (when the plates are over-
lapped the capacitance will be: maximum and the
working voltage is decreases ).
• When a capacitor is fully charged and the source voltage
is equaled by the counter electromotive force (back-
EMF) across the capacitor, : the electrostatic field
between the plates of the capacitor is maximum.
• Since the electrostatic field is maximum
the energy stored in the dielectric is also max.
• An Electrolytic Capacitor is used where a large
• amount of capacitance is required
 Module 3

• Electrical Fundamentals
• 3.10 Magnetism
 Magnetic materials.
• Magnetism is: the property of a material which enables
it to attract pieces of iron
• The two ends which are regain of concentrated lines of
force are called : the poles of the magnet.
• One of the following is not the characteristic of
magnetic lines of force : not continuous
• Artificial magnets are : Magnets produced from
magnetic materials
• Magnetic lines of force pass through :all materials
• What magnetic properties is associated with soft iron :
easily magnetized but readily demagnetized
• Through which material will magnetic lines of force pass
the most readily. Iron
• The degree of magnetization of a material that responds
linearly to an applied magnetic field is: permeability
• In SI units, permeability is measured in henries per meter
(H/m), or Newton's per ampere squared (N/A2).
• the permeability of free space is: 4pi×10 ¯⁷ H/m
• Their relative permeability of a diamagnetic is : less than 1
• When a ferrite core is placed inside a coil, the flux density :
increased due to the relative permeability of the core
• The opposition that a material offers to the magnetic lines of
force is: reluctance
• The theory of magnetism that corresponds to the direction
rotation of Atom within a material is called : Domain Theory

• Flux Density

• The area of the Hysteresis Loop indicates : energy expanded in

magnetizing and demagnetizing a material
• magnetic field strength unit is : amp. Turn/meter
• The unit of flux density is the Tesla (T)
• The amount of magnetic flux per unit cross sectional area is
known as : flux density associated with magnetic field measured
in tesla
• The intensity of a magnetic filed is : directly
related to the magnetic force exerted by the
field
• The relationship between absolute
permeability μ and relative permeability, μr
and vacuum permeability μ0 is defined by the
formula : μ = μₒ • μr
• Relative permeability of a steel is in the range :
1000-10000
 Fleming’s Left Hand (Motor) Rule
• The thumb indicates the direction of Motion
 Module 3

• Electrical Fundamentals
• 3.11 Inductance/Inductor
 Faraday’s Law
• When conductor is cut by magnetic line of
force , an EMF is induced: Faraday’s Law
• Two inductive coils are close to each other
placed 90 degrees the number of flux density
is: zero
 back EMF
• When a battery is connected across a coil and switch
initially closed the : back EMF maximum
• A field twice as strong , cutting twice the number of turn
will induce : four times the voltage
• the inductance of a coil is directly proportional to : second
power of the number of coil winding
• The characteristics of an electrical conductor opposes
change in current : inductance
• The inductance of a coil increases as : the cross sectional
area of the core increase
The time constant of the inductor is = L/R
 Module 3

• Electrical Fundamentals
• 3.12 DC Motor/Generator Theory
• On an aircraft DC generator the pole pieces are : electromagnets
• Shunt wound:- is the most common type used at the A/C
• The coil ends connected to adjacent commutator segment : Lap winding
• The speed of a series motor is dependent upon the load.
• If the heavy mechanical load is removed from a series motor the speed
will : increased and the armature current will decrease.
• If a DC shunt motor lost its residual magnetism
it would : run normally
 DC generator
• Additional generator poles in a DC motors are
provided to Compensation for the armature reaction
• The current consumed is decreased as the rotation
speed increased while starting in the DC motor .
• Armature reaction is when: field excited, armature
excited.
• To decrease the arcing at the brushes in a high
output generators we add interpoles and
compensating winding
• In the series motor, the field windings, consisting of a
relatively : few turns of heavy wire
 Module 3

• Electrical Fundamentals
• 3.13 AC Theory
• Number of cycle completed per second : frequency
• alternating polarity from an alternator takes on a
distinct shape, known as a sine wave.

• Root mean square: is the equivalent DC heating

effect
 AC theory
• The peak value of an aircraft 115v single phase
is : 162.6
• Peak value= RMS/0.707
• The form factor of an AC waveform can be
found by : RMS value divided by the average
value
• Square-shaped waveforms always have crest
and form factors equal to 1, since the peak is
the same as the RMS and average values
• Three phase star connection(Y)

• Across any 2 phases

• Split phase means: single phase
• Line voltage with a delta type connection will
be the same as phase voltage.
 peak value
• the max. value of voltage in either (+ve )or(–
ve) direction is. The peak value
• The AC waveform has mark-to-space ratio 0.5
this means : the space is twice the mark
• constant direction : direct current
 Module 3

• Electrical Fundamentals
• 3.14 Resistive (R),Capacitive (C)
And
Inductive (L) Circuits
• If frequency is reduced in the AC circuit the: inductive element will be
damaged
• The unit is Ohm for Inductive reactance(XL) ,capacitive
reactance(XC) ,and impedance(Z)
• In an AC circuit containing resistance and inductance : current lags the
voltage by up to 90 degrees
• The following example problem illustrates the computation of XC.
• f = 100Hz C = 50µF
• XC=1/ 2π f C
• 1/6.28 x 100 Hz x 50µF XC =31.8Ω or 32Ω

• To calculate inductive reactance, you need : inductance and frequency

• Ideal coil XL=100 ohms and V=200V find power consumed
• V=IR then I= 200/XL 200/100 =2A
• P= I²(XL) p=4*100 =400 VA
• The power coefficient is defined as :- cosine of
the phase shift angle between current and
voltage.
• power consumed= V²/R
• In a capacitor the voltage always: lags the current
• Capacitor discharging: voltage decreasing,
inductor charging, current will :increasing
• The power returned to the source by the reactive
components of the circuit is : reactive power
 Module 3

• Electrical Fundamentals
• 3.15 Transformers
• 3.16 filters
• the device that transfers electrical energy from one circuit to
another by electromagnetic induction is : transformer
• The purpose of the core in the transformer is : provides a
path for the magnetic lines of flux.
• The primary winding, which receives energy from the ac
source.
• The secondary winding, which receives energy from the
primary winding and delivers it to the load.
• secondary voltage may be either in or out of phase with the
primary voltage depends on the : direction in which the
windings are wound
• To reduce eddy-current In a transformer you would : reduce
the thickness of laminations in the magnetic core
• In a transformer the core provides a path for the magnetic
lines
• An autotransformer has : 1 coil
• The current transformer are designed to be powering :
ammeters
• The total voltage induced into the secondary winding of a
transformer is determined mainly by : the ratio of the number
of turns in the primary to the number of turns in the
secondary
• Radio-Frequency Transformers used to couple circuits to
which frequencies: above 20,000 Hz
• If the input power to a transformer is 650 watts and the
output power is 610 watts, what is the efficiency? 94%
• If a transformer of 5:1 with Vin=120V supplies a light of
24V/45A how much is the input current I= 9A
• A high-pass filter's will allow frequency : above a
certain value
• Parallel resonant is known as : rejecter circuit because
it rejects high current at the resonance
• The diagram is bellow an example of a : low-pass filter
• Another name for band-stop filters : notch
filters
• Low pass filter and High pass filter connected
in series called: band pass filter
• A circuit designed to perform frequency
selection is called : filter
 Module 3
• Electrical Fundamentals
• 3.17 AC generators
• The main advantage of star generator over a delta wound
generator is the three phases are equally loaded
automatically
• The frequency of an alternator is depending on: RPM
• A 4-pole, 1800 RPM generator has a frequency of : 60Hz
• The rating of an AC generator : KVA
• In a Y wound generator the voltage in a single phase is :
less than the total of all 3
• The phase shift between three phases : 120 degree
• An aircraft generator is supplying 120kva at a power factor
0.75 lagging. How much real power is supplying
• Active power = apparent power x power factor
• 120 x0.75 = 90kw
• 4 pole of a generator with frequency of 400Hz
the RPM is : 12,000 rpm
• In an AC generator sub-exciter we use a
permanent magnet
 Module 3

• Electrical Fundamentals
• 3.18 AC motors
• An AC motor rotates at the same speed as the
supply frequency: Synchronous motor
• In a 2 phase motor the phases are electrically
at 90 degrees from each other
• The poor starting torque of a three induction
motor can be improved : increasing the rotor
resistance to increase the power factor toward
unity
• What NP stands for in the following formula
RPM = 120*frequency/NP
• An AC motor to find out the polarity of coil we use : left
hand rule
• The advantage in the used of AC motor besides the wide
availability of AC power is : less cost
• To change the direction of the three phase induction motor
: swap two of the stator connections
• The phases in supply 2 phases motor are electrically : 90
degrees apart from each other
• Majority of the motors used throughout the aircraft are
design to operate on: AC
• The induction motor is : the most commonly used type of
AC motor
• If a three phase synchronous AC motor is working with
a constant load, if one of these phases is disabled then
the motor speed will: decrease by a third
• A three phase actuator is often controlled by change
over contactor : reversing two of the three-phases
allowing it to operate in both direction
The End